Tree Research

Updated EPA Heat Island Effect Website

Washington, DC (November 1, 2008)- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reorganized and updated its Heat Island Effect website, which provides a wealth of information on the urban heat island effect, its impacts, and strategies for communities to reduce urban temperatures. Among the many new and updated items on the site are a compendium of mitigation strategies, a database of community actions to reduce heat islands, a calendar of events, and regularly scheduled webcasts.

The cornerstone of the site is EPA’s new publication, “Reducing Urban Heat Islands: A Compendium of Strategies,” which describes the causes and impacts of summertime urban heat islands and promotes strategies for lowering temperatures in U.S. communities. Topics covered in currently available chapters include urban heat island basics, trees and vegetation, green roofs, cool roofs, and descriptions of a wide variety of community heat island reduction activities in the United States.Related Resources:EPA Heat Island Effect Website